Externship or take the summer off?

Nursing Students General Students

Published

I am trying to decided what to do. We get the option to do 320 hrs of externship this summer. Half of our class says no to it, they are going to enjoy their last free summer, but the other half is going to do it.

I personaly have already signed up everywhere I can. I think it's a great opportunity.

I was just wondering what all of you think of the idea?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry.

I have the same option, and I've decided to work whenever and wherever I can. Graduation is right around the corner, and I can use all the extra experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LDRP.

Externship all the way. I did one that was 430 hours the summer btw the 2 years. I started in mid May, 10 days after final exam, ended 2.5 weeks before school started. I needed a job. I needed the experience. I learned more in those 12 weeks than in any clinical. it makes everything so real, its great. and i had fun!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

I also had the choice to work as an intern. Sure you get to do some nurse things but that's in addition to your work as a PCA. Since I'm going to be working over the summer and don't want PCA work, I've set the wheels in motion to sit for my LPN boards. I'll continue to work per diem till my preceptorship.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You will never regret doing an externship/internship. You will gain so much from the experience. Have fun and learn as much as you can.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sorry for the dumb question, but what is the difference between an externship and an internship?

Do those of you who do externships get paid or is it non paying just like clinicals?

Thanks,

Rebecca

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Sorry for the dumb question, but what is the difference between an externship and an internship?

Do those of you who do externships get paid or is it non paying just like clinicals?

Thanks,

Rebecca

Not a dumb question because I don't know either.

I was 38 when I was accepted into nursing school and the advice I was given by a respected and trusted colleague was to take the summer completely off and enjoy my family because I was about to start the two most intense years ever and I took her advice and never regretted it.

Everyone has to make their own way. I had 3 kids, the youngest starting 1st grade and I wanted to spend time with them. We had a great summer. School was intense. I'm glad I did it.

Best wishes in whatever you choose.

steph

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.
Sorry for the dumb question, but what is the difference between an externship and an internship?

Do those of you who do externships get paid or is it non paying just like clinicals?

Thanks,

Rebecca

In this neck of the woods, "nurse intern" is a paid position that's offered to nursing students that has no connection with any school. It was told to me by a nurse manager that it's the equivalent of a PCA III.

Can't comment on the externship thing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Sorry for the dumb question, but what is the difference between an externship and an internship?

Do those of you who do externships get paid or is it non paying just like clinicals?

Thanks,

Rebecca

In my area, an "externship" is a summer program for nursing students, and not affiliated with any of the schools directly. They work 1:1 with a nurse and do pretty much everything! An "internship" is for new graduate nurses, usually a three-month program combining hospital orientation and orientation to the floor the nurse will be working on. Both are paid- interns at GN or RN (once they've passed NCLEX) rates, externs at my hospital get paid at nurse's aide rates.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I highly recommend doing an externship if at all possible!! I am in my last semester and I did this over last summer and it was wonderful. You do learn sooo much more, you will do and see so much more than in clinicals altogether. It was one of the best things I could have done to help prepare myself for what it's really going to be like as an RN. If you have the chance, do it. You will also be more valuable to your future employer. Most of the other students in my class did something similar. The ones that didn't came back last semester and seemed so much farther behind than those of us with the externships. Good luck!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Many places use "extern" and "intern" interchangeably. Here, we use "extern" - the training period for a new grad is called the preceptorship. The term "intern" is not really used in relation to nurses/nursing students.

I'm DEFINITELY doing an externship!! Especially if you can get one in the dept. you're interested in, it's a great foot in the door, and if you do a good job, the dept. often hires you on as a new grad afterwards.

We had reps. from the local hospital come out last week (they even "wined and dined us" - pizza and soda! :chuckle ) to tell us about their externship program. I've got applications in at two local hospitals (which is pretty much it unless you want to commute 1 1/2 hours).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PACU, PICU, ICU, Peds, Education.

Do the externship! It will help you get used to dealing with patients in the "real world," and will help your confidence immeasurably. I work a short distance from your location-- - and the nurses in our hospital wonder how non-externs manage to get jobs at all. Not to mention their senior year. Extern students are generally SO far ahead of the game. Just my two cents.

C in MS

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment